Stars turn out in force to help poorest people in the world

Readers across Scotland are being urged to support SCIAF’s WEE BOX Lent appeal to help some of the poorest people in the world.

The appeal – backed by UK Aid Match for the second year running - raises vital funds for the charity’s life-changing work, helping families living with hunger, poverty, war and natural disasters in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

They will join thousands of supporters across Scotland who make personal sacrifices to give their money to SCIAF’s WEE BOX appeal.

This year the charity is telling the story of the charity’s work helping poor cattle herders in Ethiopia to cope with drought and climate change.

Every pound given to SCIAF’s appeal before May 4 will be doubled by the UK government. In 2015 the appeal raised a staggering £3.4m with Aid Match.

Across Scotland, people gave generously with local authority regions such as Fife donating £120,398; Falkirk - £125,404; and North Lanarkshire raising a whopping £437,314 for the charity.

SCIAF’s director Alistair Dutton said: “Thanks to the people of Fife everything given to SCIAF’s WEE BOX Lent appeal means poor f amilies can get the help they need, like good seeds, farming tools, training and small loans, so they can grow food, earn an income, and have a better future.

‘‘Having the UK Aid Match again this year is a fantastic bonus too. It means everything you give to our WEE BOX appeal will be doubled by the UK government.”

Speaking at the WEE BOX launch, Ricky Ross said: “SCIAF’s WEE BOX appeal reminds me how lucky I am. So many people in the world don’t have enough food to eat or clean water to drink. SCIAF works tirelessly to change that by giving people the seeds, farm tools and training they need to grow food and feed their families.”